Swiss Benevolent Society
P.O. BOX 2137
Chicago, IL 60690-2137

Introduction

The Swiss Benevolent Society of Chicago is a non-profit, private foundation, organized under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Society was founded in 1872, shortly after the destructive Chicago fire, and was designed at first to help out members of the Swiss Community of Chicago to weather the hardships inflicted upon them by the fire.

Over time, the Society widened its scope while growing its fund through generous contributions and its investment activities. Projects included the financial support of Swiss community members hit by disasters, disability or the inability to find work. Distributions of the Society are limited to the proceeds generated from its accruing funds. In more recent times, the focus of the Society has turned towards the following lines of financial support:

• Monthly stipends to elderly or handicapped citizens of Swiss descent; funding of senior member gatherings.

• Undergraduate collegiate scholarship grants to students of Swiss descent, having permanent residence in the Greater Chicago area, the state of Illinois or parts of Wisconsin, awarded by annual competition.

• Funding assistance for special events of cultural and other nature directly related to our Swiss heritage or benefiting the Chicago area Swiss Community at large, as far as tax laws permit it.

Detailed information on our activities and programs, past, present and future, can be found at the sites dedicated to each category listed above.

General questions on our Society can be directed to: president@sbschicago.org